SCHOOL BOARD INTRODUCES BUDGET THAT CUTS 11 TEACHERS, RAISES HIGHER TAXES

The Board of Education on Monday night introduced a $125 million school budget for 2016-2017 that includes 15 staff cuts, 11 of them teachers.

The board voted, 8-1, on the budget, which includes $111 million to be raised from property taxes that will increase the average Maplewood homeowner's tax bill by $226. Board member Johanna Wright was the lone opposing vote.

Among the staff cuts are 14 positions at Columbia High School, nine of them teachers. Those CHS teacher cuts include two science teachers, two math teachers, two language teachers, and one teacher each in English language arts, social studies, and physical education.

But the biggest hit for many is the loss of two librarian/media specialists, one from the middle schools and one from the high school.
Those cuts brought out several residents who protested the library-related losses:




The board had considered cutting as many as 20 staff positions, but reduced that number, in part, by using so-called "banked cap" to increase the portion of the budget raised by property taxes by $409,000. Under state law, which limits the annual tax increase to 2%, the district can raise it higher if it had raised it by less than 2% in the past.

The board voted, 7-2, to use some of that banked cap this year to allow for a higher tax increase, 2.49%, for the 2016-2017 budget on Monday night. Board members Wright and Donna Smith voted no on that resolution.

Board President Elizabeth Baker said the budget situation makes the board "all cringe" and it represents "a very difficult moment." But she also said the district can and will work to free up more state aid.

See her statement below: